Strike plates are the metal plates mortised into a door frame or casing, which hold and secure the bolt (for the deadbolt) and the latch (for the knob or lever). Surprisingly, most homes, even new and very well made homes, do not have strike plates which are correctly installed. The central purpose of a knob or lever, and its attendant latch, is to hold the door in the correct position so that the real security, the deadbolt, can be thrown effortlessly. How many doors require you to push in on the door, or pull out slightly, in order for the bolt to go into the strike? Probably an overwhelming majority. This is because the top or bottom strike needs to be moved, and remortised. To mortise is to cut into the wood or metal so that the strike plate is flush with the surface. When strike plates for deadbolts and knobs are correctly set up, the door fits snugly against the weather seal, and once closed, the deadbolt closes without having to pull inward or outward on the door. Locking is effortless, as it should be.
Locks are only as good as the doors and casings that they secure. An inward opening door with a light wood casing is easy prey for a two hundred pound man who slams against it with his shoulder. Locksmiths see the results of body slams and pry bar attacks on a continual basis. The casing splits above and below the strike plate, often with a chunk of wood coming off the frame. No matter how good the lock, the door and its frame have to be heavy duty, preferably outer opening, and the strike plates heavy duty, and correctly placed. High security locks come with multiple strike plates, as well as a solid steel casement which fits into the hole in the frame, and is covered by a very thick strike, and a lighter decorative plate, and secured by multiple long, heavy duty screws. Best of all are metal doors and frames, with holes for bolts and latches which allow little play, and thus provide little space for wedging or prying.
Let A Beach Locksmith set up the strike plates throughout your house for effortless , secure operation, and reinforce those exterior doors which might be susceptible to prying or forced entry.